PARIS: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has approved the ‘Cultural Asset’ initiative, which focuses on pottery, copper and metal crafts, and woodwork at the historic Bahla Fort in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
Submitted by the Bahla Voluntary Team of the Local Community Foundation, the initiative will be held from September 3 to 13 as part of the World Heritage Volunteers 2026 programme under the theme ‘Working for the Future’.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is participating in the programme for the first time, in cooperation with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The participation highlights the Sultanate of Oman’s role in preserving and managing World Heritage sites of Outstanding Universal Value.
The initiative will be organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, represented by the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth; the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority; and the Bahla Voluntary Team. Local and international volunteers from several countries will take part.
Ali bin Said al Adawi, Acting Director of Bahla Fort, said the initiative would raise awareness among young people, volunteers and stakeholders about the importance of protecting World Heritage sites. It would also highlight Oman’s conservation efforts and promote traditional crafts as cultural assets that must be safeguarded from extinction.
He added that selected initiatives would receive financial support for implementation. The World Heritage Centre would also grant international recognition to participating organisations and volunteers, while UNESCO would promote successful initiatives through its official website and international conferences.
Sultan bin Nasser al Nabhani, Head of the Bahla Voluntary Team, said the initiative would benefit Bahla Fort, Oman’s first site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List 40 years ago.
He said the programme marked the team’s first international experience and would provide an opportunity to benefit from global expertise in volunteer work.
Translated by Muslem Al Lawati
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